Out with the Blue and In with the Purple

But not so fast. Before we move forward and delve into the purple... Here a couple of Blue Finished Objects:
On the left is a pair of Ragmittens and on the right is a Purl Lace Scarf. Both yarns are fom Insubordknit:



June was a good knitting month --I definetly did better than May. There was only one item of all of those on my list that I was not able to complete: The Felted Clogs. However, this was beyond my control as I needed 2 colorways of the selected yarn and I did not realize that until I was about to cast on. I placed an order but it was un-avoidably detained. The good news is that the clogs will be in varying shades of blue, violet, indigo--all the shades of blue and purple. Thus, they will be a good transitionary project.


Now moving into July... Here is a shot of the purple stash I will be busting through and a couple of projects I have in mind:



On the left is Carla--Lolly isnpired me to knit my first sweater and this seems like a good starter garment. On the right, is a Fiber Trends Sheep tote that I have been meaning to make --but held off 'til August in honor of PS.



Project Spectrum's Theme of the month is all things Purple!

With that in mind here is a song for you:

Purple People Eater:

Well I saw the thing comin' out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye.
I commenced to shakin' and I said "ooh-eee"
It looks like a purple people eater to me.

It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater.
(one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater)
A one-eyed one-horned, flyin' puple people eater
Sure looks stange to me. (one eye?)

Well he came down to earth and lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater don't eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldn't eat you cuz you're so tough

It was a one-eyed, one-horned flyin' purple people eater
one-eyed, one-horned flyin' purple people eater
one-eyed, one-horned flyin' purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me. (one horn?)

I said Mr. Purple People Eater, what's your line
He said it's eatin' purple people and it sure is fine
But that's not the reason that I came to land
I wanna get a job in a rock and roll band

Well bless my soul, rock and roll, flying purple
people eater. Pidgeon-toed, undergrowed, flyin'
purple people eater (we wear short shorts)
Flyin' purple people eater
sure looks strange to me.

And then he swung from the tree and lit on the
ground. He started to rock, really rockin' around
It was a crazy little ditty with a swingin' tune
(sing aboop boop aboopa lopa lum bam boom)

Well, bless my soul, rock and roll
flyin' purple people eater.
Pigeon-toed, undergrowed, flyin' purple peopleeater.
Flyin' little people eater
Sure looks strange to me. (purple people?)

And then he went on his way, and then what do
you know. I saw him last night on a TV show.
He was blowing it out, a'really knockin' em dead
Playin' rock and roll music through the horn in
his head

Knitters Hodge Podge Post

I have been meaning to blog for some days on a number of different things. Some Items I received from my SP8, the progress on my Clapotis, some awesome project bags that I acquired through trade, and late breaking news on the Petals Collection.

So lets begin with my SP8. Earlier this month she had surprised me with the most beautiful set of swarovski crystal stitch markers. I have used these several times--most recently to keep track of where I should be dropping stitches on my Clapotis. Through several email exchanges I mentioned that I was in need of some more of these and that I was looking to purchase some. She is so awesome!!! that she in no time whipped up another 25 markers and dropped those in the mail to me with additional goodies (some handspun purple yarn, lollipops, and pink pen). Needles to say, I was jumping up and down when I got her post and saw what was inside. Thanks SP8 --You Rock! Here they are along with Clapotis in progress:





Next in line are a couple of project bags that my new blog pal Leah made for me. I was visiting Teyani's blog and came across the prettiest Sock Project bags... Teyani mentioned that she had received these from Leah. I quickly contacted her and entered into a little deal of my own. Here is what I scored:

Note: This all transpired prior to me entering the KSKS sock bag kitting project.

On the Sock Yarn front: I had signed up for the Petals Sock Club over at Sundara Yarns and I received my first shipment yesterday. This is a 6 months subscription but now that I have received my first shipment--I can already tell that I will need to extend my membership and go for the full year! Be still my heart! Look at this package of sock yarn goodness:) Isn't it Divine?

Clapotis & Rock & Weave Socks Work in Progress:

I decided to pick up my poor Clapotis that had been sitting on the needles since January. When I first started working on this pattern it seemed to just go on and on forever. However, since then a number of things have happened... I learned how to knit lace, socks, hats, and overall have experimented with more intricate patterns. I believe these previous projects have enriched my knitting experience and I can now look at the Clapotis and have fun with it! I am really enjoying this pattern. I guess you can say I am looking at it with fresh eyes.... Sometimes this is what it takes. Look at how pretty the Lion and Lamb - Bittersweet yarn is--oh and look I've made some good progress too!



Also, I finally cast on the Rock and Weave socks for the BMFA Rocking Sock Club. These will serve for two Knitalongs that I am participating in BMFA and Summer of Socks. Here is a picture of the cuff progess:

June Project Spectrum - FOs

I have 2 projects down from the stash I had selected to use for June:

Here are the items I completed: A striped Blue hat from the Be Sweet Magic Ball and the Christine Bylsma Ladder shawl:



Next up are a pair of Felted Clogs from the Trendsetter Pattern:




And a Sheepishly Yours - See Jane Knit Scarf using the FightClub yarn that Insubordiknit spun for me.
Here is a closeup of the yarn:


That leaves only 3 skeins from the orignal list that are on the fence. The Ragamittens skein on the bottom right also from insubordiknit--will probably be completed. The only one I am not sure about is the Lornas Laces Socks... Overall, it is ends up being the same # of projects given that I picked up the felted clogs!

ColorSwap Goodies Arrived

Thank you Dyann!

Dyann my June ColorSwap Pal sent me the most awesome package! June's theme was blue --following the Project Spectrum theme of the month. I really enjoyed opening this package. Dyann took the time to wrap each of the little gifts individually in shiny blue wrapping paper.
Take a look at the loot:

Check out all the goodies: A picture frame, Fortissima sock yarn Cotton Colori in the pretiest varigated shades. Some beautiful loose beads to make a bracelet or stitch markers. A really nice scented bar of soap, a chocoalte bar YUM!, an address book and my two very favorite items: a pretty Blue Star Wind chime and a "Blues" CD especially created for me .

Meme

I just saw this Meme over at Leah's blog and it looks like fun. So please indulge me. It Looks like it came from Cara to Leah, then to me.

Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me — it can only be one word long. Then copy and paste this into your blog so that I may leave a word about you.

Knit Sock Kit Swap

I just recently joined another swap the "Knit Sock Kit Swap"--this one is a little different in that the objective is to create a sock kit for a pal and send it to them. You start off by creating a project bag (for socks) and then add other items that would be helpful for the sock knitter including a suggested pattern. Very creative and fun. Here are the answers to the The Questionnaire:

What are your favorite colors? Fuschia, Turquoise, Green, lots of vivid colors, Earth Tones too (don't like neons).

Are you a new sock knitter? Yes

How long have you been knitting socks? 1 month.

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? Multicolored

What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? Merino Super Wash - soft and a little on the thick side

Where do you usually knit socks? At home on the couch, in front of TV during prime time after my son goes to bed.

How do you usually carry/store small projects? I have this thin project bag I purchased at my LYS. Its on its last leg though from the pointy size 1s, 2s, 3 needles.

What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? I like Knitty, Have a number of Lornas laces, I like lace patterns and search the web some times.

What are your favorite sock knitting techniques?
I only know how to knit toe up on 2 circulars for now. I tried Cat Bordhis cuff down on 2 circulars and got only half way. Need to give this another go.

What new techniques would you like to try? Knitting 2 socks at once on circular needles.

Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting?
Circulars.

What are some of your favorite yarns?
Socks That Rock, Vesper, Scouts Knitted Swag, Sundara yarns, Crown Mountain Farms - Hop sock Yarn, Yarn Botanika on KPixie.

What yarn do you totally covet?: Knitting Sunshine Yarn: Dragonfly and Beach Day, Socks That Rock- I'm trying to collect all the colors. Vesper also, I only missing 2 colors right now: Knit and Tonic and Storm on the water.

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? The Pommatomus off of Knitty.

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I like Addi Turbos and Crystal Palace.

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? I would be Malabrigo Thick and Thin or Worsted or Socks that Rock Thick handspun or sock yarn.


Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack?
Caramels, nuts and chews, english toffee

What’s your favorite animal?
Dogs, lions.

Do you have pets? What are their species/names/ages?
No pets for now.

If you were a color what color would you be?
Yellow or Aubergine

Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s)..
Nice soft cotton pullover with a ballet neckline and 3/4 inch sleeves.

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature?
The Planet earth as seen from Outer Space

Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read.
The coldest winter I ever spent--was a summer in San Francisco by Mark Twain. It gets cold out here in the summer because the fog rolls in to cool off the inland areas. Unfortunately it rolls in through the city by the bay to spread out and cool things off around us.

Do you have a wishlist?
Yes at Amazon. Knitpics is not working right now.

Anything else you’d like to share with the group today?
I just recently (quite accidentally) was introduced to spinning. I just bought a hand spindle and a spin it instructional book. I have some pencil roving from Crown Mountain Farms and will be giving spinning a go to see how I like it.

I got me some Mail Love from my Secret Pals

I received an awesome postcard from my SP8 --She thought of me while vacationing in New Mexico. Isn't this a cool looking Hot Air Balloon? Check it out:



Also, This week my One Skein Secret Pal Kim sent an absolutely gorgeous skein of Hand Painted - Schaefer Yarn in Lola. Not only was the yarn inside icredibly soft and luxurious--but look at the packaging and cute card. Very impressive Kim - You Rock!


Aren't I lucky --I have the best Secret Pals ever!!!

An Obscene amount of Blue!

Well here is a picture of my Blue Stash in all its glory!!!






OMG! I had no idea I had so much blue.... Who would of thunk it? It wasn't until I started pulling stuff out from my stash that I realized! Pretty darn big stash of blue you've got there sistah!--although from the looks of it I have more turquoise/teal than dark or baby blue--I tend to favor bright vivivd colors. But wait, there's more. I did not pull everything out. I know there are some skeins here and there that escaped from this picture.

In honor of PS June I will try to put a dent in it--at least 5 to 6 projects is my goal. We will see how well I do. I have been known to be overly omtimistic at times. Here are the yarns I have selected for June:


Oh oh... wait a minute, how did that Bittersweet Lornas Laces sneak in there? O.K. You caught me. I also plan to catch up on my unfinished Clapotis from February as well as get started on my Rockin Sock Club - socks in Fairgrounds (fairgrounds not present below).

One more FO and some goodies the Postman brought by

Finally I was able to finish one of my Appletini socks that I had intended to knit for May's Project Spectrum Green Theme. Here it is knitted up in plain stockinette and a Picot edge. I must say I really like the varying shades of green stripes. Scout is very talented with her handpainted yarn. I can't wait to have the second one completed. For now, here is a picture of the first one:




Here are some goodies I've received over the past couple of days. My oh so pretty vintage button from my One Skein secret pal Kim and my new Socks That Rock Kit and first Skein for the BMFA Rockin' Sock club. Yup, I got in heehee... Also take a look at a couple of skeins of Sundara Sock yarn--wow these are gorgeous. The colorway is Chimney.






And last but most certainly not least! Look at the wonderful additions to my knitting library and the very pretty Turquoise Blue yarns for the first PS June project: The Ladder Shawl by Christine Bylsma.